Mount St. Mary’s University Assistant Professor Jordan Loveridge, Ph.D., has been awarded one of only four 2017 research fellowships from the International Society for the History of Rhetoric (ISHR). In addition to Loveridge, the awards, which support advanced research related to the theory and practice of rhetoric, were given to academics at the University of Pittsburgh, Queen Mary University of London and the University of Milan.
“Dr. Loveridge is elevating Mount St. Mary’s banner of rhetoric on the global stage,” said Carl Glover, Ph.D., chair of the department of communication. “We are excited that he has received support for his book on medieval rhetoric.”
Loveridge’s fellowship will support research on a book tentatively titled "A Probable Logic: Emotion, Sensation and Persuasion in Medieval Rhetoric and Poetic." His study describes a major shift in the rhetorical theory of the middle ages that occurred when authors began to move away from strict rules of logical argumentation in order to emphasize probability and realism. To do so, they began to consider arguments based on less logical modes of thinking such as sensation, emotion and authority. This change also has contemporary relevance, as scholars today are focusing on the relationship between rhetoric, sensation and the history of the emotions.
“I am grateful that this fellowship offers supported time to work on the book project, as well as funds for any necessary travel and resources,” said Loveridge.
ISHR, based in Zurich, Switzerland, promotes the study of the theory and practice of rhetoric in all periods and languages and the relationship of rhetoric to poetics, literary theory and criticism, philosophy, politics, religion, law and other aspects of the cultural climate.
Loveridge began teaching communication and English courses at the Mount in the fall of 2017. Previously, he taught classes in first-year writing, public argument, professional communications and other courses at Arizona State University, where he earned his doctorate.